Gas security system

ABSTRACT

A gas security system having an interchangeable self-contained tank arranged for connection to a bottle containing a compressed gas. The latter serves as a propellant for a noxious charge provided in the tank. A normally closed electric valve is arranged in a pipe connecting the bottle and tank, while an actuating circuit associated with the valve is arranged for opening the valve on detection of the presence of a predetermined condition in areas with which the security system is related. Noxious gas is formed by interaction of the propellant and noxious charge, and is passed throughout a building, and the like, by a distributing system extending from the tank.

United States Patent [1 1 Rupert et al.

[ GAS SECURITY SYSTEM [75] Inventors: Ronald L. Rupert, Corrales;

Norman Rupert, Albuquerque, both of N. Mex.

[73] Assignees: Richard Rupert; Roland B. Kool,

both of Albuquerque, N. Mex. part interest to each Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-John P. Shannon Attorney, Agent, or FirmClarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A gas security system having an. interchangeableselfcontained tank arranged for connection to a bottle containing a compressed gas. The latter serves as a propellant for a noxious charge provided in the tank. A normally closed electric valve is arranged in a pipe connecting the bottle and tank, while an actuating circuit associated with the valve is arranged for opening the valve on detection of the presence of a predetermined condition in areas with which the security system is related. Noxious gas is formed by interaction of the propellant and noxious charge, and is passed throughout a building, and the like, by a distributing system extending from the tank.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 64 i g 54 2' s 4 k i\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ J 2/50 22 ave/0 Q ...::"".:.'i:. h6; m ,6 g 55' usgigu ni si s sq l s /4 /2/, Q I :F 5 l m Q i S (g y GAS SECURITY SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a gas security system, and particularly to a compact self-contained gas security system actuatable by conventional building security devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART It has been proposed to use noxious gases, and the like, against thieves. These known devices are generally employed in banks, jewelry stores, and the like, where they can be manually actuated by a teller, clerk, and the like, during daylight holdups. Accordingly, these known devices generally are. constructed to discharge the gas in a localized area directed specifically at the thief or thieves.

Prior patents believed pertinent to this invention are as follows:

530,434 J. H. Lowe Dec. 4, 1894 973,033 J. C. Gough Oct. 18, 1910 1,191,400 E. O. Cilley et al July I8, 1916 1,358,638 L. Hill Nov. 9, 1920 1,502,537 A. E. Anakin July 22, 1924 3,330,912 W. R. Hohmann Jan. 25, 1966 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas security system capable of being used in a variety of locations such as mountain cabins, apartments, office buildings, house trailers, and the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a gas security system capable of detering a person or persons from entering a premise in the owners absence and against the owners wishes.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a gas pressure system which provides efficient trouble-free operation with a minimum of maintenance.

These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing a gas security system having: a first container arranged for holding a noxious charge; a second container arranged for holding a propellant under pressureya pipe connecting the first container to the second container; a normally-close valve arranged in the pipe for normally blocking same; and an activating circuit connected to the valve for opening the valve on the detection of the presence of a predetermined condition.

The valve is advantageously an electrically actuated solenoid valve, with the actuating circuit including a rio'rirrf allyopen relay connected to a source of power andi't'o the solenoid valve. A condition detecting device such as a normally-open switch may be connected to the relay for closing same when the switch itself is closed.

A distributing arrangement is preferably connected to the first container for receiving a noxious gas from same and dispensing this gas into a predetermined space. This distributing system may advantageously include a manifold provided with a plurality of outlets arranged extending into, for example, different rooms of a building being protected.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, partly schematic, vertical sectional view showing a gas security system according to the present invention arranged in a building.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical actuating circuit for a gas security system according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a gas security system 10 according to the present invention is provided with an interchangeable self-containedgtank in the form of first container 12. This container 12 holds a noxious charge of a nature to be described below. A second container 14, which is advantageously in the form of a compressed gas bottle, is connected to container 12 as by a pipe 16. A manually-actuatable shut-off valve 18 is provided at the outlet of container 14 for connection of pipe 16 to container 14. Pipe 16 has an adjustable pressure regulator 20, of any suitable known construction, inserted therein between shut-off valve 18 and a, for example, conventional solenoid valve 22. By this arrangement, How of a propellant gas from container 14 can be manually controlled by valve 18, regulated by regulator 20, and controlled automatically by solenoid valve 22. The manner of controlling valve 22 will be described below.

Valve 22, which is a normally-closed valve, is actuated as by a circuit 24 shown sshematically in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The detection of the presence of a predetermined condition by circuit 24 will cause valve 22 to open and permit propellant gas from container 14 to pass into container 12, pick up a noxious charge therefrom, and distribute a noxious gas in a manner to be described below.

Circuit 24 includes a normally-open relay 26, of suitable, known construction, connected to a conventional power source 28, such as an electrical outlet or a battery, and further includes a, for example, normallyopen switch 30 connected to relay 26 for closing the relay when switch 30 is itself closed. Switch 30 may be, for example, arranged in a doorway, and the like, so as to be closed when the door is opened. A conventional transformer 32 is advantageously arranged between power source 28 and one side of switch 30. The switch is connected to the power source and to the relay as by lines 34 and 36, while a line 38 connects the input of the transformer to power source 28. In this manner, closing of switch 30 will close the secondary winding of transformer 32, which winding functions as a coil of relay 26, and cause relay 26 to move to its closed posi tion (not shown). When in its closed position, relay 26 will close a circuit through wires 40 and 42 and retain the circuit through the secondary winding of transformer 32 in closed mode in order to retain the relay in its closed position. A line 44 is connected to solenoid valve 22 for connecting the latter to the source of power 28 via relay 26. thus, if switch 39 is closed, power will now be passed to valve 22 for energizing same and moving it to its open position unblocking pipe 16. Pressurized propellant gas may now leave container 14 and pass through pipe 16 and valve 22 into container 12. As can be appreciated, circuit 24 will remain in its actuated mode until manually reset in a known manner.

A conventional alarm 46 and lamp 48 may be connected as desired and considered necessary and desirable in parallel with valve 22. When alarm 46 considered necessary and desirable in parallel with valve 22. When alarm 46 and/or lamp 48 are connected in the manner shown in FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that they will be actuated simultaneously with valve 22 and will remain actuated until circuit 24 is deactivated manually, and the like.

Referring again to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a distributing arrangement 50 is shown as connected to container 12 for receiving the noxious gas from same and dispensing the gas into a predetermined space 52 such as a room formed by partitions 54 and 56. The gas may also be distributed into a space 58 which is, for example, arranged above space 52 and separated therefrom by partition 54. This arrangement 50 is advantageously a manifold 60 formed of a plurality of conventional pipes and provided with a plurality of outlets formed by outlet pipes 62. Only one of the outlet pipes 62 is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. If desired, a conventional gas whistle 64, and the like, may be arranged at the outlet end of outlet pipe 62 in order to provide a further alarm.

As can be readily understood from the drawings and from the above description, the distributing arrangement 50 is arranged for completely filling a room or other area, and is so designed to expel the noxious gas over a given length of time depending on the size of the, for example, compressed air or nitrogen container 14. The provision of whistle 64 will provide a high pitch or shrill whistle at, for example, each gas outlet. Further, the provision of alarm 46 and lamp 48 will at the same time provide additional alarms or indicators. By proper design, the noxious gas will continue to be expelled until the, for example, police arrive on the scene.

Once the system is activated, the siren or bell will continue to ring even though all the gas is expelled and the system shut-down. The system is so designed to be operated by, for example, regular 110 volt electrical current, or by batteries (not shown) in dependence on the location where the device is employed and in view of any safety considerations.

The system '10 according to the present invention is intended to be activated by, for example, conventional photoelectric relay systems, infrared burglar alarms, ultrasonic intrusion detectors, door or window switches, and any other devices that may be used to trigger such a system. Although only a door switch 30 is shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, it is to be understood that any of the aforementioned devices may be substituted for switch 30 as desired.

While any suitable noxious gas may be employed, it is desirable that the gas selected not leave harmful residues in the space 52, 58, or cause discomfort to the personnel using the space after a proper airing out period has been observed. The selected gas would be provided in concentrated form held in tank 12. As can be appreciated, tank 12 can be easily changed to supply a new charge of the concentrated noxious material. Since the preparation of such noxious charges is generally well known and does not form part of this invention, the preparation of the charge will not be described in detail herein. The noxious gas will alert an intruder to the presence of the gas by sound, smell, and warning signs such as that designated 66 in FIG. 1. These factors, separately or in any combination, will give the intruder no other course of action but to leave the premises immediately or suffer the consequences of exposure to the noxious gas being injected into the violated space.

To deactivate system 10, switch 39 may be opened to cause relay 26 to open and solenoid valve 22 to be deactivated. Alarm 46 and lamp 48 would also become deactivated. If switch 30 is now opened, switch 39 may be closed and circuit 24 placed in its ready position once again.

As will be appreciated, the time period in which the gas is discharged into the spaces 52, 58 can be adjusted by use of regulator 20. Valve 18 is primarily intended to be closed when changing container 14.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A gas security system, comprising, in combination:

a. a noxious charge;

b. first container means for holding the noxious charge;

c. a propellant gas;

(I. second container means for holding the propellant gas under pressure, the second container means including a manually-actuatable shut-off valve connected to the pipe means;

e. pipe means for connecting the second container means to the first container means;

f. normally-closed valve means arranged in the pipe means for normally blocking same, the valve means including an electrically actuated solenoid valve, the pipe means including an adjustable pressure regulator arranged between the shut-off valve and the valve means;

g. actuating means connected to the valve means for opening the valve means on the presence of a predetermined condition and passing gas to the noxious charge to intersect with the charge and form a noxious gas, the actuating means including a normally open relay connected to a source of power and to the valve, and a normally open switch connected to the relay for closing samd when the switch is closed by the presence of an unauthorized person in an associated building;

a signal lamp electrically connected to the relay in parallel with the solenoid valve; and

. a distributing means connected to the first container means for receiving a noxious gas from the first container means and dispensing the gas into a predetermined space in the building, the distributing means including a manifold provided with a plurality of outlets, one of the outlets terminating in a gas whistle.

2. A gas security method for distributing a noxious performed; and gas into a predetermined space in a building, comprise. distributing the noxious gas about the building. ing the steps of: 3. A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the disa. providing a noxious charge in a first container and tributing step (e) includes the step of ejecting the noxa propellant gas under pressure in a second con- 5 ious gas through a gas whistle and sounding a warning tainer; to the unauthorized person. b. detecting presence of an unauthorized person in a 4. A method as set forth in claim 3, further including building being guarded; the step of energizing a lamp when an unauthorized c. passing gas from the first container to the second person is detected in the building by step (b).

container only when an unauthorized person is de- 10 5. A method as set forth in claim 2, further including tected in the associated building by step (b); the step of energizing a lamp when an unauthorized d. forming a noxious gas by interaction of the propelperson is detected in the building by step (b).

lant gas and noxious charge whenever step (c) is 

1. A gas security system, comprising, in combination: a. a noxious charge; b. first container means for holding the noxious charge; c. a propellant gas; d. second container means for holding the propellant gas under pressure, the second container means including a manuallyactuatable shut-off valve connected to the pipe means; e. pipe means for connecting the second container means to the first container means; f. normally-closed valve means arranged in the pipe means for normally blocking same, the valve means including an electrically actuated solenoid valve, the pipe means including an adjustable pressure regulator arranged between the shut-off valve and the valve means; g. actuating means connected to the valve means for opening the valve means on the presence of a predetermined condition and passing gas to the noxious charge to intersect with the charge and form a noxious gas, the actuating means including a normally open relay connected to a source of power and to the valve, and a normally open switch connected to the relay for closing samd when the switch is closed by the presence of an unauthorized person in an associated building; h. a signal lamp electrically connected to the relay in parallel with the solenoid valve; and i. a distributing means connected to the first container means for receiving a noxious gas from the first container means and dispensing the gas into a predetermined space in the building, the distributing means including a manifold provided with a plurality of outlets, one of the outlets terminating in a gas whistle.
 2. A gas security method for distributing a noxious gas into a predetermined space in a building, comprising the steps of: a. providing a noxious charge in a first container and a propellant gas under pressure in a second container; b. detecting presence of an unauthorized person in a building being guarded; c. passing gas from the first container to the second container only when an unauthorized person is detected in the associated building by step (b); d. forming a noxious gas by interaction of the propellant gas and noxious charge whenever step (c) is performed; and e. distributing the noxious gas about the building.
 3. A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the distributing step (e) includes the step of ejecting the noxious gas through a gas whistle and sounding a warning to the unauthorized person.
 4. A method as set forth in claim 3, further including the step of energizing a lamp when an unauthorized person is detected in the building by step (b).
 5. A method as set forth in claim 2, further including the step of energizing a lamp when an unauthorized person is detected in the building by step (b). 